Two jailed on Phuket killing

Lindsay Murdoch

Two Thai criminals have been sentenced to the equivalent of 100 years' imprisonment for the murder of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

Surasat ''Boy'' Suwannachote, 26, and Surin Tadthong, 37, showed no emotion as a judge in Phuket Central Court told them he would have ordered their execution if they had not admitted their involvement in the murder of Ms Smith on June 20.

But he said many of the criminals targeting tens of thousands of Australian tourists are never brought to justice and some have official protection.

''The major problem has always been the application of the law in Phuket where assaults continue unabated virtually every night and there are little or no arrests of the guilty parties, mainly because they have patronage protection,'' Mr Cunningam told The Age.

The death of Ms Smith prompted intervention by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and top police, who ordered a crackdown on violence against tourists on Thailand's biggest resort island. At any time an average 20,000 Australians holiday on Phuket.

Mr Cunningham stressed that Phuket remains a safe and ''wonderful place to holiday where Australians come and enjoy the Thai hospitality''.

Ms Smith, from Perth, was stabbed as she walked back to her hotel after dinner. Another travel agent, Tammee Lynn, was stabbed and required stitches.